Piedmont’s new fire Chief Edward Tubbs may soon be dividing his time between two cities — Piedmont and Albany.

The Piedmont and Albany City Councils this week approved moving ahead with a one-year pilot program that would save both cities money. The concept has worked well in some cities, such as San Bruno/Millbrae and San Mateo/Foster City, and bombed in others such as Fremont/Union City.

“We feel it is doable. I am only 20 minutes away (from Albany). I don’t see it as a huge thing to overcome,” Tubbs told the council.

The cities would split Tubbs’ salary costs, which include a 10 percent raise for the double-duty. His salary and benefits would be $266,751. Albany would pay half, $133,375. Net savings to Piedmont will be $111,300. Tubbs will remain a city of Piedmont employee who is contracting his services to Albany. A contract will be drawn up to be reviewed by the City Councils on April 4.

City Administrator Geoff Grote said other benefits of the arrangement would be cost savings for shared training, equipment purchases and more grant opportunities.

The cities began discussing the concept when Albany approached Piedmont because their chief, Marc McGinn, is retiring.

Council members were concerned about any compromise to service Piedmonters now enjoy, with three-minute response times. Grote assured them that would not change. Tubbs said Piedmont’s three fire captains would run day-to-day operations at the station and he will be in constant contact when away from Piedmont.

The program will be evaluated in nine months or less to gauge its success.

“We will look at this in a careful way,” Grote said.

Council watchdog George Childs said, “I’m very much in favor of this to save a few dollars.”

The council also reviewed a proposal by a new nonprofit group, Piedmont Center for the Arts, to lease the old building at 801 Magnolia Ave. for use as an art venue for small music and dance performances, poetry readings, gallery space and other programs.

The center is asking for a no-rent, 10-year lease. In exchange they would use private funds to rehabilitate the century-old structure that was once a house and later a Christian Science Church.

The city bought 801 Magnolia in 2003 for $735,000 with the intent of some day utilizing it as part of the city center master plan. The Piedmnt Center for the Arts would lease half the building. Grote said the newer half likely will be used for expanded city recreation programs.

“The building is in poor shape with roof leaks, mildew, the heating system,” Grote said.

The center’s Principal Nancy Lehrkind told the council, “The demand is huge for a smaller performing arts venue. Alan Harvey Theater is too large. The building does need a lot of attention.”

The group estimated $46,400 for the initial work, with a second phase costing $38,500, much of it donated labor and discounted materials. Renting to an “anchor” tenant such as Piedmont Choirs, and subleasing to other groups, would pay for operating costs, Lehrkind said. The arts center has $7,000 in pledges so far.

The council said it needed more information from city staff on the condition of the building and the renovation costs.

Childs disagreed, saying, “This is free use of city property, absurd in light of the swim club,” where Piedmont terminated its lease because the Piedmont Swim Club said it could pay no rent.

In other business, the council formally appointed nine new members to the Municipal Tax Review Committee that analyzes and recommends at what rate the municipal and sewer taxes should be levied. Thirteen candidates were interviewed at a special council meeting on March 1. The new members are: David Brown, Ryan Gilbert, Tamra Hege, Steven Hollis, Bill Hosler, Eric Lindquist, Robert McBain, Michael Rancer and Stephen Weiner.